Disabled Single Mother Seeks Miracle Grant Money For Extended Family

My Name is Jenny Schell. I'm 38 and live in Illinois. I really do need a miracle right about now.

I'm a single mother of three: my son that's 21 and my two grandkids, which I will be adopting as soon as I can get the money for it. I have raised them since birth.

I'm their mom in every way except legally, but hopefully soon in that way too! Their ages are one year and eight months.

I have one brother and four sisters, three living and one who died at birth. My dad passed away 2-1/2 years ago very suddenly.

Dad was always healthy or so we all thought, so it was a very big shock to all of us when it happened. He died of a heart attack.

He was only 65 when he passed away. My Mom and Dad would have been married 40 years a week after he passed away.

My mom is disabled and has very bad health: diabetes, heart disease, neuropathy in her legs and feet, congestive heart failure.

She is almost blind due to her diabetes. The most recent thing is that doctors say she may have Alzheimer's.

She's 60 years old. I still live at home and take care of my mom. I'm her caregiver. My brother age 31 and son age 21 have been looking for work for over a year now.

The only income we have is me being caregiver of mom, which I would do in a heartbeat without getting paid, but this allows me to be with her 24/7 and try to be able to pay bills, and for living expenses etc.

I get paid through a program from the state. My sister works bringing in less then $600 every two weeks and my mom's Social Security.

We have bills pouring in, and our electricity is to be turned off any day now. There isn't enough money for living, taking care of everyone and the bills!

I'm afraid and don't know where to turn. I need to help my family and know we're going to be okay.

It's been very rough to say the least emotionally and financially! But as the saying goes, "God only helps those that help themselves."

So I was thinking if I could possibly get a grant I could maybe pay the utility bills, get groceries in the house and get what I need to help my mom.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story and for any government grant help you can direct me to.

Comments for Disabled Single Mother Seeks Miracle Grant Money For Extended Family

I read your article and can truly relate to you! I too am disabled and was the caregiver to my mother who has Parkinson's disease. She was diagnosed the week after I buried my father 23 years ago. He was only 62 and was the glue that held our family together. I am Bipolar and have had 4 surgeries on my neck, need another one done, and have had one on 2 places in my back and that caused me to have to put her in the nursing home. Biggest regret of my life but was the best I could do for her at that time considering her dementia and me not being able to lift her. Anyway, I was deeply moved by your situation, knowing what it's like trying to make ends meet... I am living off of less than $700 month, somehow. Actually I know God is providing my needs... day by day. Here is some info that may be helpful to you... IF your father was a veteran, you can apply, as caregiver for his spouse, for aid and attendance benefits for her through the VA. It will provide her with somewhere around $900 to $1,000 each month to help pay for care, personal care supplies, expenses to doctor visits (gas, upkeep on vehicle used for her care transport) any over the counter meds she may need, etc. She/you can get her doctor to fill out the papers stating that she needs a (basically) fulltime caregiver and that you are the primary for this position. They take into consideration her personal care (bathing, hairwashing/fixing, manicure and pedicure, any exercise that you can do with her, providing "quality of life" recreation time (shopping, visiting with friends, church, etc.). The money is actually sent to her and in turn she is to "pay" you/someone to provide her AID and ATTENDANCE. Sometimes they require you to keep receipts and turn them in once a year... make sure when money is "paid to you" it is recorded on check on bottom as "to you for aid and attendance." I hope this can be of use to you. Don't give up hope, for without hope there is nothing. Our Great and Merciful Lord keeps us in His arms of safety and assures of His faithfulness if we believe in His Son Jesus and His Death on the Cross and His resurrection from the grave. Humble yourself to His Will and He will lift you up! God Bless you in all you do!

The content of this website is for informational and educational purposes only. Ability Mission is NOT a granting agency. It does not offer direct funding. Instead, it sets out a proven process of seeking, finding and getting help. Applicants learn by example and with hands-on exercises.